Washing machine and control method thereof

ABSTRACT

A washing machine and control method thereof are disclosed. The washing machine comprises an input unit ( 100 ) for inputting control commands to control washing operations, a control unit ( 200 ) for controlling operations corresponding to the control commands and outputting state information messages expressed in a selected language, and a display unit ( 300 ) for displaying the state information messages expressed in the selected language. Consequently, in a nation where any one of the languages supported by the washing machine is spoken, washing operation messages can be displayed in that language through simple operations, thereby greatly increasing user convenience. In addition, a small LCD making up the display unit of the washing machine makes possible reduction of the area that the display unit occupies and display of an increased number of messages and thereby heightens price competitiveness and user convenience.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a washing machine and control method thereof, and more particularly to a washing machine and a control method thereof that may display state information messages in multiple languages selectable with simple button and dial operations to enhance user convenience.

2. Description of the Related Art

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a conventional washing machine. Generally, the conventional washing machine includes a cabinet 2, forming the external appearance thereof, a rotatable washing tub 6 installed in the cabinet 2 for loading laundry, a water supplier (not shown) for supplying wash water to the washing tub 6, a water drainer (not shown) for draining the supplied wash water, and a driver (not shown) for driving the washing tub 6 to wash the laundry in the washing tub 6.

A laundry opening (not shown) is centrally formed at a front side of the cabinet 2 to enable loading and unloading of the laundry. Also, a door 1 for closing and opening the laundry opening is mounted to the front side of the cabinet 2.

In addition, a control panel 3 for controlling operations of the washing machine is installed at the cabinet 2. The control panel 3 includes an input unit 5 including at least one button or dial, and a display unit 4 for displaying states of washing progress of the washing machine.

The washing machine mentioned above washes the laundry using chemical reactions of a detergent, water currents generated during operation of the washing tub 6, and frictional force between the washing tub 6 and the laundry.

For example, a user places the laundry in the washing machine, closes the door 1, and starts the washing machine. Then, the washing machine controls the water supplier according to values initially set in the washing machine so as to supply the wash water to the washing tub 6 up to a predetermined water level.

While the washing tub 6 is rotated by a motor of the driver, stains are removed from the laundry in the washing tub 6 by the wash water.

When the cleaning operation mentioned above is completed, the polluted wash water in the washing tub 6 is drained from the washing machine via the water drainer. Subsequently, a rinsing operation is performed several times to remove bubbles from the laundry, and the wash water containing the bubbles is drained from the washing machine via the water drainer.

When the rinsing operation finishes, a spin-drying operation is performed to centrifugally dehydrate the laundry by rotating the motor at high speed.

In addition, the display unit 4 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) to display information about states of the washing machine such as current washing operation, remaining washing time, and driving speed using a series of characters and Arabic numerals. The LCD includes liquid crystal disposed in a narrow gap between two thin glass substrates. When a voltage is applied to the liquid crystal via transparent electrodes, the orientation of molecules of the liquid crystal is varied to pass or reflect light. Thus, the LCD displays an image.

However, in the conventional washing machine having the configuration and operations mentioned above, the display unit 4 displays messages indicating the running states of the washing operation only in a preset language. If the user does not know the preset language, there exists a problem that the user cannot understand the messages and does not know the running states of the washing machine.

For example, when a foreigner who does not know Korean buys and uses a washing machine in Korea, the display unit 4 of the washing machine may display the state information messages only in Korean. Consequently, the foreigner cannot understand the state information messages, and may be forced to buy another washing machine whose display unit 4 displays the state information messages in the foreigner's native language even though the washing machines are of the same model.

In addition, when the washing machine is to be exported, the washing machine may have to be separately manufactured according to the language that the washing machine supports, thereby lowering manufacturing efficiency in terms of demand prediction, supply planning, and the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a washing machine and a control method thereof that display state information messages representing states of the washing machine in a language selected by an external input.

To solve the problems mentioned above, the washing machine according to the present invention has a distinctive configuration that enables a state display language to be selectable through simple button and dial operations, and state message data of the washing machine to be expressed in the selected language.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a washing machine that comprises an input unit for inputting control commands to control washing operations, a control unit for performing operations corresponding to the control commands and outputting state information messages expressed in a language selected through button and dial operations, and a display unit for displaying the state information messages expressed in the selected language.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a washing machine control method that comprises a step a) of inputting a control button to select a language for expressing washing operation messages, a step b) of selecting a language by turning a dial according to the control button, and a step c) of expressing the washing operation messages in the selected language.

Accordingly, the washing machine and control method thereof according to the present invention supports washing operation or state information messages in multiple languages and enables display language selection through simple button or dial operations. Consequently, in a nation where any one of the languages supported by the washing machine is spoken, washing operation or state information messages can be displayed in that language through simple operations, thereby greatly increasing user convenience.

In addition, a small LCD making up the display unit of the washing machine makes possible reduction of the area that the display unit occupies and display of an increased amount of messages and thereby heightens price competitiveness and user convenience.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an overview of a conventional washing machine;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a washing machine according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a view showing an outer appearance of a control panel of the washing machine according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a drawing showing a sequence of operations of the display unit of the washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a control method for the washing machine according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to a washing machine and control method thereof according to preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The present invention is applicable to general washing machines including conventional drum type washing machines. While the present description refers to a conventional drum type washing machine as shown in FIG. 1 for illustrative purposes, the present invention is not limited to the drum type washing machine. The washing machine according to the present invention has a basic configuration similar to that of the conventional one shown in FIG. 1., and, accordingly, additional explanations on the configuration are not provided.

The washing machine according to the present invention includes a cabinet having a door installed at a front side thereof, a rotatable washing tub installed within the cabinet for loading laundry, a water supplier for supplying wash water to the washing tub, a water drainer for draining the supplied wash water, and a driver for driving the washing tub to wash the laundry in the washing tub.

In addition, the cabinet includes a control panel 50 through which washing operation commands are inputted and which displays states of washing progress. The washing machine having the configuration mentioned above washes the laundry using chemical reactions of a detergent, water currents generated during operation of the washing tub, and frictional force between the washing tub and the laundry.

FIG. 3 is a view showing the outer appearance of the control panel 50 of the washing machine according to the present invention. The control panel 50 includes an input unit 100 to input a control command for various operations of the washing machine, and a display unit 300 for displaying state information messages of the washing machine operating according to the inputted control command.

The input unit 100 includes one or more press buttons for generating corresponding control signals upon being pressed, and a turnable dial for generating control signals associated with different angular positions in a predetermined interval. Labels in characters indicating functions associated with the press buttons and angular positions of the dial are provided around the press buttons and the dial.

The press buttons may include a power button for supplying electric power to drive the washing machine, a start/pause button for executing or stopping an inputted washing operation command, and washing operation buttons for executing associated washing operations when pressed. The press buttons may also include an additional function button for a language selection mode according to the present invention.

The display unit 300 is configured so as to display messages indicating a running washing operation, remaining time of the washing operation, a selected washing course, water temperature, and the like. The display unit 300 may be an LCD which simultaneously or sequentially displays all washing state information messages.

The LCD is divided into a pair of vertically arranged parts respectively constituting first and second display sections. The first display section, e.g. the upper part of the LCD, displays messages indicating the selected washing course, the running washing operation, and the like. The second display section, e.g. the lower part of the LCD, displays messages indicating the remaining time of the washing operation, the driving speed of the washing tub, the water temperature, and the like.

In the LCD 300 of the washing machine according to the present invention, particularly, if the language selection mode is entered, the first display section displays a currently set language or a list of selectable languages and the second display section displays help messages explaining language selection operations.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the washing machine according to the present invention. The washing machine according to the present invention includes an input unit 100, a display unit 300, and a control unit 200. The input unit 100 inputs external control commands to control washing operations. The display unit 300 displays state information messages in response to the control commands inputted by the input unit 100. The control unit 200 executes operations associated with the control commands sent by the input unit 100 and expresses the state information messages in a newly selected language if a new language is selected.

As mentioned above, the input unit 100 and the display unit 300 are installed on the control panel 50.

The control unit 200 includes an input controller 210, and a microcomputer 220. The input controller 210 reads control signals generated in accordance with respective button or dial operations. According to the control commands read via the input controller 210, the microcomputer 220 determines factors for washing operations such as a wash water level, a washing time, and water currents of rinsing and cleaning, controls execution of the required washing operations, and checks selection of a language selection mode.

The control unit 200 further includes a display controller 230 enabling operation state information messages from the microcomputer 220 to be displayed in a language selected via the input controller 210. The display controller 230 includes a language setter 231 to store a language setting selected in accordance with the control signals inputted by the input controller 210, and to store data regarding washing operation messages to be expressed in the selected language according to the language setting. The display controller 230 may further include a language database 232 for storing the washing operation messages expressed in one or more languages.

The input controller 210 includes a button controller 211 and a dial controller 212. The button controller 211 may recognize a press of one or more buttons as the language selection mode, in which the language displayed by the display unit 300 is changeable. The dial controller 212 enables sequential display of selectable languages according to rotation of the dial at a predetermined angular interval.

If a function button for the language selection mode is provided in the control panel 50, the button controller 211 recognizes a press of the function button as a control command for entering the language selection mode and sends the inputted control command to the microcomputer 220.

If the function button is not provided, a continued press of one or more buttons for a predetermined time or more (preferably, about 3 seconds) is recognized as an input of the control command for the language selection mode. For example, a continued press of the pause button or a simultaneous and continued press of any two buttons among the washing operation buttons is recognized as an input of the control command for the language selection mode.

In a normal operation mode, the dial controller 212 performs one of the functions labeled around the dial corresponding to the angular position of the dial. In the language selection mode initiated by the corresponding button input from the control panel 50, the dial controller 212 enables sequential display of data regarding preset languages corresponding to rotation of the dial at a predetermined angular interval.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a control method for the washing machine according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5, operations of the present invention are explained as follows.

First of all, electric power is supplied to initiate operation of the washing machine.

To display washing machine state information messages in a preferred language through the display unit, the function button is pressed, or one or more preset buttons are simultaneously pressed (S1, S2).

If the language selection mode is initiated by the button input, selectable languages are sequentially listed according to the angular position of the dial. When the preferred language is listed on the LCD of the washing machine, pressing a predetermined button (preferably, the power button) stores the selected language setting (S3, S4).

When the washing machine is put into operation again after power-off caused by the press of the power button, washing machine state information messages expressed in the selected language are displayed according to the stored language setting (S5).

FIG. 4 shows a sequence of operations of the display unit of the washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 4, operations of the washing machine are explained.

For example, it is assumed that the washing machine according to the present invention is commercially available in France, supports 15 languages, and has a small LCD as its display unit. A user may initiate the language selection mode by continuously pressing one or more buttons for 3 seconds or more.

If the language selection mode starts, a language selection message in English is displayed on the display unit by default. By turning the dial, selectable languages including Spanish, Danish, German, Swedish, Finnish, Russian, and French may be listed in sequence.

The user selects French among the selectable languages, and stores information about the selected language setting by pressing the power button one time.

When the user again presses the power button one time, the state information messages of the washing machine are displayed in French.

Accordingly, the washing machine and control method thereof according to the present invention support washing operation or state information messages in multiple languages and enable display language selection through simple button or dial operations. Consequently, in a nation where any one of the languages supported by the washing machine is spoken, washing operation or state information messages can be displayed in that language through simple operations, thereby greatly increasing user convenience.

In addition, a small LCD making up the display unit of the washing machine makes possible reduction of the area that the display unit occupies and display of an increased amount of messages and thereby heightens price competitiveness and user convenience.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims. 

1. A washing machine comprising: an input unit comprising one or more buttons and at least one dial, for inputting control commands to control washing operations through the buttons and the dial; a display unit for displaying state information messages according to the control commands inputted by the input unit; and a control unit for performing operations corresponding to the control commands sent from the input unit and outputting the state information messages expressed in a selected language after language selection via the input unit.
 2. The washing machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein the control unit comprises: an input controller for reading the control commands generated by manipulation of the buttons or dial; a microcomputer for initiating a language selection mode according to the recognized control commands via the input controller or for determining a wash water level, a washing time, and water currents, and performing washing operations according to the control commands; and a display controller for displaying the state information messages outputted from the microcomputer in a language selected via the input controller.
 3. The washing machine as set forth in claim 2, wherein the input unit further comprises a function button and the input controller comprises a button controller that recognizes a press of the function button as an initiation command for the language selection mode.
 4. The washing machine as set forth in claim 2, wherein the input controller comprises a button controller that recognizes a press of at least one of the washing operation buttons installed in the input unit as an initiation command for the language selection mode.
 5. The washing machine as set forth in claim 4, wherein the button controller recognizes the initiation command for the language selection mode when the press of the button continues for a predetermined time or more.
 6. The washing machine as set forth in claim 5, wherein the predetermined time is about 3 seconds.
 7. The washing machine as set forth in claim 2, wherein the input controller comprises a dial controller that lists selectable languages on the display unit according to a predetermined angular position of the dial.
 8. The washing machine as set forth in claim 2, wherein the display controller comprises a language setter for storing a language setting selected via one of the control commands from the input controller and storing data regarding washing operation messages to be expressed in the selected language.
 9. The washing machine as set forth in claim 8, wherein the display controller further comprises a language database for storing the washing operation messages expressed in one or more languages.
 10. The washing machine as set forth in claim 9, wherein the language database stores the washing operation messages expressed in 15 languages.
 11. A method for controlling a washing machine comprising the steps of: a) inputting a control button signal for initiating a language selection mode to select a language for expressing washing operation messages; b) selecting a language by turning a dial after the input of the control button signal; and c) outputting externally the washing operation messages expressed in the selected language.
 12. The method as set forth in claim 11, wherein the step a) comprises the step of simultaneously pressing two or more buttons to input the control button signal.
 13. The method as set forth in claim 11, wherein the step a) comprises the step of continuously pressing one or more buttons for a predetermined time or more.
 14. The method as set forth in claim 13, wherein the predetermined time is about 3 seconds.
 15. The method as set forth in claim 11, wherein the step b) comprises the steps of: displaying supported languages in sequence by turning the dial at a predetermined angular interval; and selecting one of the displayed languages.
 16. The method as set forth in claim 15, wherein the step b) comprises the step of storing a language setting regarding the selected language after the step of selecting one of the displayed languages.
 17. The method as set forth in claim 11, further comprising the step of displaying the washing operation messages expressed in the selected language when the washing machine is restarted by power-off followed by power-on after language selection.
 18. The method as set forth in claim 11, wherein the step b) comprises the step of displaying 15 languages in sequence. 